N.J. police officer, 41, dies suddenly, ‘will be greatly missed’

Alex Luzardo, a five-year member with the Union County Police Department, died May 13 after suffering a medical emergency at his home, the local police union announced.

Luzardo, 41, was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, but spent most of his life in Roselle, officials said. The specific cause of death has not been disclosed.

Fellow Union County patrolman, Sgt. Christopher Stanaway, told NJ Advance Media on Sunday that Luzardo spent time aboard the USS Cleveland as a petty officer with the U.S. Navy and was an avid baseball fan, having previously joined a few amateur leagues.

“Alex was a dedicated officer who enjoyed interacting with the Union County community,” the Union County Police PBA Local 73 union said in a statement. “His passion was to serve his country, and he did that admirably as a petty officer in the Navy and as an officer with this agency. He will be greatly missed by members of his family, this agency, and the Union County community.”

Luzardo graduated from the Union County Police Academy and served in the U.S. Navy during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, according to an online obituary.

A visitation is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. at the Mastapeter Funeral Home, at 400 Faitoute Ave. in Roselle Park. Funeral services will begin at noon at the funeral home with interment to follow at Hollywood Cemetery in Union.

A GoFundMe fundraiser campaign set up by the local police union has so far raised more than $19,000 to assist Luzardo’s family with funeral expenses.

“Alex leaves behind his cherished 7-year-old son, Alex Luzardo, Jr. His son was his world and sadly now must grow up without his devoted father,” union organizers posted online. “All funds donated will go directly to support Alex Luzardo’s funeral expenses, his family, and his son’s future.”

To donate to the fundraiser visit www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-the-luzardo-family.

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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevenrodasnj.